Murphy's in, Rosemont bans video gambling
State Sen. Matt Murphy has been quiet lately about his run for governor as compared to his Republican primary competition. But the Palatine Republican says that is no sign he is backing out of the race.
In fact, he told Animal Farm today he is fundraising, has a team of advisors in place and recently meet with members of the Republican Governors Association. In coming weeks he is planning a statewide tour.
Murphy’s right-hand man is Ryan McLaughlin, who ran Peter Roskam’s successful run for Congress against Tammy Duckworth in the DuPage County-centered 6th District.
“It is coming together nicely,” he said. “I feel like I have a great opportunity.”
Contender Kirk Dillard, a veteran lawmaker from Hinsdale, recently told the Daily Herald he was hopeful Murphy would bow out of the governor’s race and run for Cook County board president.
Dillard has been wistfully thinking he can clear the field early. After all, he will have his own problems getting out of a contentious primary given his tax hike votes and appearance in a commercial supporting President Barack Obama’s primary bid.
Still, a Murphy run in Cook County makes sense. The senator floated the idea earlier this year but backed out when it was believed former Chicago Schools CEO Paul Vallas was going to make the run on the GOP ticket.
“That is not going to happen,” Murphy said flatly about a game change.
In other news, Rosemont officials voted today to ban video gambling machines in their suburb.
“We just don’t think it is a proper fit in local bars,” said Mayor Brad Stephens.
Rosemont - which has long been dogged by allegations of mob influence and lost a casino bid because of it - is one of the first suburbs to outright ban video gambling machines after Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation legalizing them to bring in cash for a massive public works program.
The question is now: If video gambling is no good for Rosemont, who is it good for?
Matt Murphy.... that is the last thing Illinois needs another trial lawyer/ ambulance chaser!
Ryan McLaughlin was in over his head during Roskam's campaign. How is he going to be able to handle a state-wide governor's race?
Is this the same Ryan McLaughlin who got a DUI during the Roskam race and has done work for Melissa Bean and Debbie Halvorson? I bet that will play well with GOP primary voters... good choice Sen. Murphy!
Matt Murphy's going nowhere. He was for SB600 this year before he was told to be against it. Murphy doesn't like the idea of Republicans voting, so fine. We won't vote for him.
Murphy has also reportedly picked up the state party's former executive director Jason Heffley on his campaign payroll. That's a non-starter for most any GOP activist. Shows awful judgment.